Designers / Brazil · Slow and sustainable
Osklen
Oskar Metsavaht
Osklen is a slow and sustainable label based in Rio de Janeiro, started in 1989. Behind the label: Oskar Metsavaht. It is known for urban and beachwear from Rio, tied to its founder’s sustainability work. Latest milestone on record (14 April 2026): Opens the first Rio Fashion Week, at the former British Embassy in Rio.
Quick facts
Osklen at a glance
- Behind the label
- Oskar Metsavaht
- Based
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Since
- 1989
- Focus
- Slow and sustainable
- Makes
- Menswear, womenswear, swimwear and footwear
- Trained
- Trained as a doctor
- Official site
- osklen.com ↗
The person and the label
Who is behind Osklen?
Oskar Metsavaht was a 25-year-old doctor on a 1986 Aconcagua expedition before he turned to clothing; Brazil Journal dates Osklen to 1989, though a 2011 UN News item gives 1997. He also founded Instituto-E, a Rio non-profit for sustainable development, and UNESCO named him a Goodwill Ambassador in 2011. In February 2026 Osklen co-created the Brazilian team’s Winter Olympics ceremony uniforms with Moncler, in recycled nylon, and in April it opened the first Rio Fashion Week with 36 looks it called a tribute to Rio.
Timeline
Osklen, dated
More from Brazil
Other Brazil labels to know
- Herchcovitch;Alexandre Ready-to-wear · since 1992
- Ronaldo Fraga Ready-to-wear · since 1996
- João Pimenta Menswear
- PatBO Couture and eveningwear · since 2002
- P. Andrade Menswear · since 2021
- FARM Rio Ready-to-wear · since 1997
- Lenny Niemeyer Ready-to-wear
- Melissa Accessories · since 1979
- Catarina Mina Textile heritage · since 2008
- Dendezeiro Streetwear and contemporary · since 2019
- Sioduhi Studio Slow and sustainable
Read the full Brazil guide, with the method behind it and where to see the work in person.
Sources
Sources
Represent Osklen and spotted an error? Send a correction with a link to the record.
Quick answers
Osklen, answered
Who is behind Osklen?
- Oskar Metsavaht. Osklen is a slow and sustainable label based in Rio de Janeiro.
When was Osklen founded?
- 1989, according to the sources listed on this page.
What does Osklen make?
- Menswear, womenswear, swimwear and footwear. It is known for urban and beachwear from Rio, tied to its founder’s sustainability work.
Where did the designer of Osklen train?
- Trained as a doctor.